AMA applauds U.S. House for acting to protect Americans from the dangers of tobacco

For immediate release
July 30, 2008

Statement attributable to:
Joseph Heyman, MD
Board Chair, American Medical Association

"Today, the U.S. House of Representatives took a critical step to combat smoking-related diseases by passing the ‘Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act’ and giving the FDA needed regulatory authority over tobacco products. We hope members of the U.S. Senate will truly consider the countless lives that could be saved when they cast their votes on this important issue.

"Given what we know about the dangers of smoking, it is astonishing that tobacco products are one of the least regulated products in our society. Congressional action to provide the FDA with strong and effective regulatory authority over tobacco products is long overdue. The bill will stop illegal sales of tobacco products to children, further restrict marketing, especially to kids, and require more informative health warnings on each package.

"The FDA currently serves a vital role in protecting the health of Americans through the regulation of food and drugs. This bill ensures that the FDA will have the resources necessary to regulate the tobacco industry in addition to its current responsibilities. We should not let another day go by without taking the important step of passing this legislation to enact long-overdue controls over these deadly products."

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